 English History  Setting  Why Beowulf? Beowulf  Poetic devices  Terms  Motifs

Why Study Beowulf? 1. Beowulf is the oldest poem in the English language, so everything written since Beowulf stems from it in some way 2. The story of Beowulf encompasses common themes that we still see in English literature today 3. Beowulf is simply good writing

Early History of England 1.First settlers were the Celts around 400 B.C. Their religion was based on animism—they saw spirits everywhere 2.Priests (druids) acted as intermediaries between gods and people 3.Importance of Stonehenge 4.Celtic stories—women warriors, mother goddess, male god 5.Romans invaded 55 B.C. 6.Angles, Saxons invaded from Germany 7.King Alfred of Wessex

8. Religion of Anglo-Saxons a. Co-existed with Christianity b. Woden c. Dragon d. Ethics 9. Bards, scops 10. Importance of Irish monks, monastaries

Beowulf’s Provenance What we don’t know:  who wrote it  when exactly it was written  how much, exactly, is based on historical truth

Beowulf’s Provenance What we do know:  Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem. It’s written in Old English (or Anglo-Saxon), which is the basis for the language we speak today.  Some of the characters in the poem actually existed.  The only copy of the manuscript was written sometime around the 11 th century A.D. (1000’s), however…

Beowulf’s Provenance So what’s happened to the manuscript since the 11 th century? Eventually, it ended up in the library of this guy. Robert Cotton ( )

Beowulf’s Provenance Unfortunately, Cotton’s library burned in Many manuscripts were entirely destroyed. Beowulf was partially damaged. The manuscript is now preserved and carefully cared for in the British Museum.

Setting: Beowulf’s time and place Although Beowulf was written in English, it is set in what is now Sweden, where a tribe called the Geats lived. The story may take place as early as 400 or 500 A.D.

Setting: Beowulf’s time and place Europe today Insert: Time of Beowulf

The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 1. Alliterative verse a.Repetition of initial sounds of words (occurs in every line) b. Generally, four feet/beats per line c. A caesura, or pause, between beats two and four d. No rhyme

The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for Alliterative verse – an example from Beowulf: Oft Scyld Scefingsceapena praetum, Monegum maegpummeodo-setla ofteah; Egsode Eorle,syddan aerest weard.

There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes, A wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes. The terror of the hall-troops had come far. The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for

The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 2. Kennings a. Compound metaphor (usually two words) b. Most were probably used over and over For instance: hronade literally means “whale- road,” but can be translated as “sea”

Some terms you’ll want to know scop A bard or story-teller. The scop was responsible for praising deeds of past heroes, for recording history, and for providing entertainment

thane A warrior mead-hall The large hall where the lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc. Some terms you’ll want to know

wyrd Fate. This idea crops up a lot in the poem, while at the same time there are Christian references to God’s will. Some terms you’ll want to know

epic Beowulf is an epic poem. 1.Epic heroes represent the finest values of civilization; ethical 2.Face extraordinary obstacles 3.Seem to be superhuman but they’re mortal 4.Perform brave deeds 5.Quest or journey with followers 6.Name their horses/swords Some terms you’ll want to know

Motifs and Important Aspects Good vs. Evil Religion: Christian and Pagan influences The importance of wealth and treasure Loyalty and allegiance The importance of the sea and sailing The sanctity of the home Fate Heroism and heroic deeds